Out & About
D.C. Black Pride celebrates ‘Ties That Bind’
Seminars, parties, concerts, picnics and more on packed schedule
D.C. Black Pride events are held throughout Memorial Day Weekend. (Washington Blade photo by Hugh Clarke)
The 27th annual D.C. Black Pride is at various locations in Washington this weekend.
Black Pride’s 2017 theme is “The Ties That Bind: Twenty Seven Years of Black Pride,” in celebration of the strong bonds within the LGBT community.
On Friday, May 26, there will be an opening reception at the Grand Hyatt (1000 H St., N.W.) from 6:30-8:30 p.m. LGBTQ Speed dating and networking will follow from 8:30-10:30 p.m. Omega Entertainment hosts “The Annual 5,000 Men Pride Mega Party” at Bliss Nightclub (2122 24th Pl., N.E.) from 9:30 p.m.-4 a.m. R&B singer K. Michelle will perform.
On Saturday, May 27 there will be the Grown Folks Speak Out 2017, a discussion about growing older in the black LGBT community, at the Grand Hyatt from 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Admission is free. Continental breakfast and lunch will be served.
There will also be workshops throughout the day including resume writing and interview prep, overcoming hurt in the black church, understanding the trans-attracted man and more. A film festival, screening films such as “Moonlight” and “Check It,” runs from 2-7:15 p.m.
Omega Entertainment hosts “The Grandiose Fantasy Mega Pride Party” at the Washington Marriott (2660 Woodley Rd., N.W.) from 9 p.m.-3:30 a.m. featuring a live performance by Lil Kim.
There will be an interfaith worship service with guest speaker Pastor Mitchell Jones on Sunday from 9-11 a.m. at the Grand Hyatt. D.C. Black Pride Brunch is at Dirty Martini (1223 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) from noon-6 p.m. with unlimited food and mimosas. Admission is $40.
On Monday, the annual Us Helping Us Picnic in the Park will be at Fort Dupont Park (3600 Minnesota Ave., S.E.) from noon-7 p.m. There will be food and live performances. Admission is free.
For a complete list of events and prices, visit dcblackpride.org.
OTHER EVENTS OF NOTE INCLUDE:
Big Boy Pride hosts its Big Boy Party at Living Room (1008 Vermont Ave., N.W.) on Friday, May 26 from 6-11 p.m. There will be drink specials and door prizes. Cover is $10. For more information, visit bigboypride.com.
Jaywalking Productions and Makers Lab host “Black Planet: A Black Pride Celebration” at Tropicalia (2001 14th St., N.W.) on Sunday, May 28 from 4-8 p.m. There will be performances by the CooLots, Pretty Boi Drag and Pinky KillaCorn. Music will be a mix of hip-hip, trap, house, ‘90s and more. Early bird tickets are $10 and regular admission is $15. For more details, visit jaywalkingproductions.com.
Monday Night Skating, an LGBT skating group, hosts a Black Pride Skate at Laurel Skate Center (9890 Brewers Ct., Laurel, Md.) on Monday, May 29 from 7:30-10:30 p.m. There will be a conga line, raffles and games. For more details, visit facebook.com/
The Washington Commanders are proud to welcome the LGBTQ community for the fourth annual “Pride Night Out!” on Sunday, Oct. 6 at 1 p.m. at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md.
This will be a matchup against the Cleveland Browns. The Pregame Pride Party Pass and Club level game ticket includes premier party location and club level ticket all-you-can-eat buffet, beer and wine, an exclusive Commanders Pride T-shirt, pregame entertainment and a postgame photo on the field.
More ticket options are available and $5 of every ticket goes back to Team DC. For more information visit the Commanders’ website.
Friday, October 4
“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 2 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected].
Go Gay DC will host “First Friday LGBTQ+ Community Social” at 7 p.m. at The Commentary. This event is ideal for making new friends, professional networking, idea-sharing, and community building. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, October 5
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
LGBTQ+ People of Color Support Group will be at 1:00p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ People of Color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgment free. For more details, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.
Sunday, October 6
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Dinner” at 6:30 p.m. at Federico Ristorante Italiano Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. Guests are encouraged to come enjoy an evening of Italian-style dining and conversation with other LGBTQ folk. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
AfroCode DC will be at 4 p.m. at Decades DC. This event will be an experience of non-stop music, dancing, and good vibes and a crossover of genres and a fusion of cultures. Tickets cost $40 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Monday, October 7
Center Aging: Monday Coffee & Conversation will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of their choice. For more details, email [email protected].
Tuesday, October 8
Pride on the Patio Events will host “LGBTQ Social Mixer” at 5:30 p.m. at Showroom. Dress is casual, fancy, or comfortable. Guests are encouraged to bring their most authentic self to chat, laugh, and get a little crazy. Admission is free and more details are on Eventbrite.
Coming Out Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a peer-facilitated discussion group. It is a safe space to share experiences about coming out and discuss topics as it relates to doing so. For more details, visit the group’s Facebook page.
Trans Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group is intended to provide emotionally and physically safe space for trans* people and those who may be questioning their gender identity/expression to join together in community and learn from one another. For more details, email [email protected].
Wednesday, October 9
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit www.thedccenter.org/careers.
Thursday, October 10
Virtual Yoga with Charles M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breathwork, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.
South Asian LGBTQ+ Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. KHUSHDC provides a safe, confidential space for South Asian LGBTQ community members to come together and share experiences. This peer support group is an outlet for South Asian-identified LGBTQ individuals to come and talk about anything affecting them. For more details, email [email protected].
Out & About
Capital Pride to honor LGBTQ heroes
50 years of Pride in D.C. celebrated at Facebook Live event
The Capital Pride Alliance, in partnership with Team Rayceen Productions and the 50th anniversary subcommittee of Pride in the Nation’s Capital, will host “An Evening with LGBTQ+ Heroes” on Tuesday, Oct. 1, at 7 p.m. on Facebook Live.
Capital Pride will celebrate 50 years of Pride in D.C. by highlighting the heroes who were recognized at the Capital Pride Honors annual event, formerly called the Heroes Gala. The event will feature some of these honorees who will share their history and thoughts on what Pride means.
Panelists include Earline Budd, legendary community advocate, co-founder of Transgender Health Empowerment and Capital Pride Superhero; June Crenshaw, Co-Chair, 2025 World Pride Steering Committee, Executive Director, Wanda Alston Foundation; Jose Gutierrez, founder of the Latino GLBT History Project, the DC Latino Pride and co-founder of the Rainbow History Project; and Peter Rosenstein, activist, journalist and author “Born this Gay: My Life of Activism, Politics, Travel, and Coming Out.”
For more details, visit Facebook.
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